3/11/15

Classic Chicken (or Turkey) Tetrazzini

Tetrazzini made with chicken or turkey, pasta, mushrooms, wine (optional) and cheese is easy enough for weeknight meals and special enough for special occasions and is the PERFECT casserole recipe for leftover turkey!

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

  1. JUMP TO THE RECIPE
  2. KEY INGREDIENTS FOR TETRAZZINI
  3. 8 TIPS FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE

Chicken (or turkey) tetrazzini is an American classic! And I’d never made it.

Or eaten it.

Of course, I'd never made green bean casserole until I was in my forties either but that doesn't mean I’m not a good ol’ American girl!

Classic Chicken (or Turkey) Tetrazzini made with chicken or turkey, pasta, mushrooms, wine (optional) and cheese is easy enough for weeknight meals and special enough for special occasions and is the PERFECT casserole recipe for leftover turkey!

It’s probably because, until recently, I've avoided cream of whatever soups at almost all costs. But y’all, I’m telling you, they have come a long, long way with creamed soups.

So anyway, I decided I wanted to make it this weekend and I’m so glad I did! I looked at tons of recipes to get an understanding of the basics and came up with these must-haves:

KEY INGREDIENTS FOR CHICKEN (OR TURKEY) TETRAZZINI

  • Spaghetti or linguine
  • Cooked chicken or turkey
  • Mushrooms
  • Creamed soup (or homemade version)
  • White wine or vermouth
  • Mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Classic Chicken (or Turkey) Tetrazzini made with chicken or turkey, pasta, mushrooms, wine (optional) and cheese is easy enough for weeknight meals and special enough for special occasions and is the PERFECT casserole recipe for leftover turkey!

I went with linguine because I wanted something a little sturdier than spaghetti, white wine because it’s what I had, and cheddar because I wanted something that would stand up to all the creamy components a little more than mozzarella would.

I didn't add parmesan, though I see that a lot of recipes do. I didn't want things to feel too Italian so I didn't add any parm but feel free to add it to yours!

Classic Chicken (or Turkey) Tetrazzini made with chicken or turkey, pasta, mushrooms, wine (optional) and cheese is easy enough for weeknight meals and special enough for special occasions and is the PERFECT casserole recipe for leftover turkey!

8 TIPS FOR MAKING CHICKEN (OR TURKEY) TETRAZZINI

1 - You'll need to have about 4-5 cups cooked cubed or chopped chicken or turkey. Leftovers and rotisserie chicken are great in this!

2 - You can use cream of chicken, celery, onion, mushroom or any combination of the lot in this recipe – just use 2 cans total.

3 - Use a dry white wine like chardonnay or sauvignon blanc.

4 - You can substitute chicken broth for the wine if you must but I highly recommend using the wine as it brightens the flavor and balances all the creamy components.

Classic Chicken (or Turkey) Tetrazzini made with chicken or turkey, pasta, mushrooms, wine (optional) and cheese is easy enough for weeknight meals and special enough for special occasions and is the PERFECT casserole recipe for leftover turkey!

5 - Baby bella or button mushrooms are best in this.

6 - Though I haven’t done it myself, I hear tetrazzini freezes beautifully. 

7 - You can absolutely cut this recipe in half. Divide all ingredients exactly in half and bake for 20-25 minutes.

8 - Breaking the pasta in half makes it easier to work with and serve. 

Recipe for Classic Chicken (or Turkey) Tetrazzini

Classic Chicken (or Turkey) Tetrazzini made with chicken or turkey, pasta, mushrooms, wine (optional) and cheese is easy enough for weeknight meals and special enough for special occasions and is the PERFECT casserole recipe for leftover turkey!

Classic Chicken (or Turkey) Tetrazzini

Classic Chicken (or Turkey) Tetrazzini
Yield: 8 Servings
Author: Mandy Rivers | South Your Mouth
Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 50 Min
Tetrazzini made with chicken or turkey, pasta, mushrooms, wine (optional) and cheese is easy enough for weeknight meals and special enough for special occasions and is the PERFECT casserole recipe for leftover turkey!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. linguine pasta
  • 4 cups cooked chicken
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 8-12 oz. mushrooms, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 pint sour cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)

Instructions

  1. Break pasta in half then cook in liberally salted water per manufacturer’s instructions for al dente preparation. Drain well then set aside. If not immediately mixing the cooked pasta, rinse to ensure it doesn't stick together.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  3. While pasta is cooking, sauté mushrooms in butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes or until mushrooms start to brown. Add garlic, reduce heat to medium and continue cooking for 3 minutes.
  4. Add wine to mushrooms, stir to deglaze the pan then simmer for 6-8 minutes or until wine is reduced by about half.
  5. Take a minute to appreciate that beautiful mushroom wine reduction you just made. You go, girl.
  6. Combine soups (unprepared), sour cream, milk, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl then stir until well combined and creamy.
  7. Add mushrooms, pasta and chicken to soup mixture then stir to combine.
  8. Pour mixture into a greased 13x9 baking dish then cover with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is starts to brown.

Notes

  • You'll need to have about 4-5 cups cooked cubed or chopped chicken or turkey. Leftovers and rotisserie chicken are great in this!
  • You can use cream of chicken, celery, onion, mushroom or any combination of the lot in this recipe – just use 2 cans total.
  • Use a dry white wine like chardonnay or sauvignon blanc.
  • You can substitute chicken broth for the wine if you must but I highly recommend using the wine as it brightens the flavor and balances all the creamy components.
  • Baby bella or button mushrooms are best in this.
  • Though I haven’t done it myself, I hear tetrazzini freezes beautifully. 
  • You can absolutely cut this recipe in half. Divide all ingredients exactly in half and bake for 20-25 minutes.
  • Breaking the pasta in half makes it easier to work with and serve. 
chicken, turkey, tetrazzini, leftover, rotisserie, pasta, best, how to, cream of, soup, cheese, mushrooms, casserole, bake, thanksgiving
dinner, casserole
american

24 comments:

  1. I like to chop up a little onion and celery (esp. celery) into the mix. Lately I've been microwaving some broccoli and tossing it in for some extra roughage. :-)

    Think I'll be making this for dinner.

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    Replies
    1. Followed through on my threat. :-) I had frozen chicken breasts on hand, which saved a little time. No cheddar, but I ALWAYS have Velveeta on hand - what can I say, I was a 50's kid who still uses Velveeta in his scrambled eggs.

      MMMmmmm. Just like in that old commercial, "I can't believe I ate the whole thing.... " :-)

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    2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFKifpMtlNs

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    3. Haha! I haven't seen that in FOREVER! Glad you liked the recipe! Thank you for taking the time to let me know :)

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  2. I agree I came on here for dinner ideas and BAM! This smacked me in the face.... in a good way. THIS is for dinner tonight! And thanks for the *or* note, I have some Vermouth I was trying to figure out how to use up so this helps tremendously!!!

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  3. Can this be made in the crock pot? And does it freeze well? Also, do you think I could cut the recipe in half? :) Just messing - looks gorgeous!!

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  4. Looks great! I've never made or eaten tetrazzini either - except perhaps in the ol' college cafeteria??
    Brandie's comment!! ha ha!! Love it!!

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  5. I have frozen a very similar recipe and it does great. Thaw in the fridge and bake until hot and it is just like fresh.

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  6. This is completely off topic but I love the dinner plate!

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    Replies
    1. I'm a total Pier 1 and World Market junkie.

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  7. Looks pretty damn tasty! I've been thinking about making my own recipe in the future. You're post was very helpful and I'm sure I'll try it out soon :)

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  8. I love chicken tetrazzini. My mother used to make it often. When my first husband and I were dating, he thought it was Chinese food! It looks delicious.

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  9. i add a little Worcestershire to mine gives it a kick

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  10. You say that Canadian and American, Campbell's soup is different, which is better? I live close enough to the border that I could buy either.

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    Replies
    1. Definitely the US. The Canadian is this weird peachy color (colour - ha!) and oddly congealed. Blech!

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  11. Hi! Love your recipes. Just got done making the Crock Pot Honey Garlic chicken and it was a big hit with everyone! I am going to make Chicken Tetrazzini next and wanted to ask if I could replace some of the sour cream with Greek yogurt to lighten it up a bit? Thanks for the info.

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  12. This is a great basic recipe! I add green olives and pecans to mine!! This is one of those childhood comfort meals!

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  13. looks really good. I love a tetrazzini. would you guess how much chicken you're using? (( never know if whole chicken breasts, halves, or what is involved). Maybe about 3 cups?

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    Replies
    1. For this recipe I use 4 chicken breasts or about 5 cups of chopped chicken but there's really no wrong way to make this! If you have less chicken than I use, it will still be delicious!

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  14. Made this tonight for the first time and it was delicious! Everyone enjoyed it! Will make it again for sure! Thanks!

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  15. Just made this for supper and I added Roasted red peppers along with a large diced onion for more flavor. I also used Crm of Chicken Herb soup for a change up on one of the soups. Will serve a nice tossed salad and a warm French baguette for a full meal. Oh, and of course will be serving the left over white wine with it too😊.

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Hi there! While I’m not able to respond to every comment, I try hard to answer any questions that haven’t been addressed in the post, recipe or in other comments.

I can tell you now 1) I have no idea if you can substitute Minute Rice or brown rice in my recipes because I’ve never used them and 2) If I know how to convert a recipe to a Crock Pot version, I will make a note about it (otherwise, I don’t know).

And though I may not respond to them all, I do read each and every comment and I LOVE to hear from you guys! Thanks, y’all! - Mandy